Their journey followed two days of trilateral negotiations – involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine – held in Abu Dhabi on November 10th and 11th. The aim: to find common ground in a conflict that has defined geopolitical tensions for years.
The Abu Dhabi talks, as described by Kushner, weren’t easy. “He described these negotiations as difficult but meaningful,” Kushner said, framing the discussions as a crucial, if arduous, step. The core of the meetings centered around a full airing of grievances – “Washington, Moscow and Kyiv discussed all the main issues of dispute between Russia and Ukraine and exchanged their views to reach a solution,” Kushner explained – a significant development in a conflict marked by limited direct dialogue. These ‘main issues of dispute’ encompass the complex web of territorial claims, security concerns, and political alignments that fuel the ongoing hostilities.
Perhaps the most concrete outcome emerging from Abu Dhabi was an agreement to conduct “the largest human exchange of prisoners,” according to Kushner. While the specific numbers were still being finalized – “we will determine the final number of people tomorrow,” he stated – the commitment signaled a potential for de-escalation through humanitarian channels. Prisoner exchanges, while not uncommon in wartime, often represent a fragile trust-building measure, a small step toward broader reconciliation. The scale of this proposed exchange suggested a willingness, at least on this point, to move beyond entrenched positions.
Russia has repeatedly stated that any direct negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are contingent on further progress in talks.
On November 12th, Kushner and Witkoff arrived in Moscow, scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the first half of the day. The purpose of this visit, as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outlined, was to brief Putin on the progress made in Abu Dhabi. Lavrov emphasized that Putin would weigh this information alongside regular updates from Vladimir Medinsky, Russia’s lead negotiator, before charting the next course for Russia’s strategy. “He also receives, of course, such reports regularly from the delegation of [Vladimir] Medinsky,” Lavrov said. “And based on what he hears from the Americans, he will determine our further line.”
The Russian side, while acknowledging the upcoming briefing, remained circumspect about expectations. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov, confirming the November 12th meeting, noted, “Negotiations with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, envoys of the US president, will be held in the near future.” When pressed on whether the envoys would be presenting concrete proposals regarding territorial issues or security guarantees, Ushakov offered a cautious response: “Мы пока не знаем итогов переговоров в Абу-Даби. Но что-то везут” – “We don’t yet know the results of the negotiations in Abu Dhabi. But they are bringing something.”
This carefully worded statement underscores the delicate nature of the diplomatic dance. Russia has repeatedly stated that any direct negotiations between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are contingent on further progress in talks. The Kremlin appears to be signaling a willingness to listen, but only after assessing the substance of the proposals brought forth by Kushner and Witkoff. The fact that Putin is dedicating time to meet with the envoys, however, suggests a degree of seriousness attached to the Abu Dhabi discussions.
Following their meeting with Putin, Kushner and Witkoff are scheduled to continue their mission, traveling to Dublin to meet with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the European Political Community summit. This two-pronged approach – engaging both sides directly – reflects an attempt to build momentum for a potential breakthrough. The envoys’ task is to convey the outcomes of the Abu Dhabi talks and gauge the willingness of both leaders to compromise.
As of mid-November, the situation remains fluid. The Abu Dhabi negotiations yielded a promising, though still undefined, agreement on prisoner exchanges. Kushner and Witkoff’s mission to Moscow and Dublin represents a critical attempt to translate that momentum into broader diplomatic progress. Whether Putin will deem the proposals brought forth by the US envoys sufficient to warrant direct engagement with Zelenskyy remains to be seen. The coming days will likely be pivotal in determining whether this latest diplomatic effort can pave the way for a lasting resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.